AI SCOUTING REPORT · FIGHTDECK

Diego Lopes

27-8 MMA (6-3 UFC) Featherweight Brazilian
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SCOUTING REPORT

Diego Lopes

27-8 MMA (6-3 UFC) Featherweight Brazilian
High Danger

Fan-favorite brawler with spectacular spinning attacks. His spinning elbow KO of Jean Silva (UFC Fight Night 259) is a signature finish opponents dont see coming. Has faced the best in the division — two wars with Volkanovski including a broken-feet performance in UFC 325.

Physical Profile

StanceOrthodox
Height180 cm
Reach180 cm
Record27-8 MMA (6-3 UFC)

Finish Breakdown

KO/TKO
33%
Submissions
0%
Decisions
67%

Fighting Style

Dynamic, aggressive striker with a signature spinning elbow arsenal. High-paced pressure fighter who fights with visible emotion. Known for taking fights on hours notice (UFC 303 Dan Ige replacement is legendary). Resilient — walked through fire against Volkanovski twice and always finishes fights.

Strengths

  • Spinning attacks — his spinning elbow is one of the divisons most dangerous weapons
  • Cardio — goes 5 hard rounds without fading
  • Resilience — tore both feet at UFC 325 and still finished all 5 rounds
  • Aggression — fan-favorite brawler; multiple Fight of the Night awards
  • Chin — absorbed huge volume from Volkanovski across 2 fights without being finished
  • Short-notice warrior — UFC 303 story made him Dana Whites favorite

Weaknesses

  • Takedown defense — struggled vs Volkanovskis chain wrestling; gave up position repeatedly
  • Calf kick vulnerability — exposed badly by Volk; never adjusted
  • Fight IQ under pressure — reverted to predictable patterns when hurt in title fights
  • Size/reach — 180cm reach is undersized for Featherweight
  • Finish rate — only 2 UFC wins by finish; often settles for decisions
  • Weight management — frame sits at the lower end of Featherweight

Style Tendencies

  • Pressure forward with hands high, looks to close distance quickly
  • Spinning attacks when opponents back up to the cage
  • Willing to take damage to land his offense
  • Tends to back straight up when hit — exploitable for counters

Recent Form

0-1 in his last 2 (two close decisions to Volkanovski at UFC 314 and UFC 325). His one win was a spectacular spinning elbow TKO of Jean Silva at UFC Fight Night 259.

Key Fights

LOSS Alexander Volkanovski (UFC 314) UD FW title shot, Fight of the Night — Apr 2025
WIN Jean Silva (UFC Fight Night 259) TKO (spinning elbow) Performance + Fight of Night — Sep 2025
LOSS Alexander Volkanovski (UFC 325) UD FW title rematch, both feet broken — Jan 2026
WIN Brian Ortega (UFC 306) UD Biggest UFC win before title shots — Sep 2024
WIN Dan Ige (UFC 303) UD 4-hour notice replacement — legendary — Jun 2024

Recommended Game Plan

Target the lead leg with calf kicks early to disrupt his forward pressure. Chain-wrestle him repeatedly — his TD defense is exploitable. Cage him and limit spinning room. Exploit the low kicks he walks into without adjusting.

Standing

Use calf kicks to break his forward pressure. Stay off the fence — his best work happens in open space. Punish every entry into low-kick range.

Clinch

Drag him down when he steps into range. Dont let him establish spinning room — clinch up and work to takedown.

Ground

Control from top position. Hes dangerous from guard but has poor scrambling defense — stay heavy and work ground-and-pound.

Key Instructions
  1. Open with calf kicks in the first 90 seconds — disrupt his movement before he builds momentum
  2. Chain-wrestle: dont look for one takedown, drag him down 5-6 times per fight
  3. Every time he steps forward, punish the lead leg — he walks into range without checking
  4. Stay off the fence — cage him and limit the spinning room he needs to be effective

⚠ This report is based on publicly available fight data and AI analysis. Not financial or medical advice.

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